2016 Bartlett Festival: Event draws crowds for balmy weekend

What’s a festival without a Ferris wheel ride? It gives the best view and captures that feeling of once-a-year celebration, like this one at the Bartlett Festival. Photo by Amanda Swain.

People were out in fine form for the Bartlett Festival, including the Burford family here, enjoying the cool breeze and the festival’s attractions. Photo by Amanda Swain.

All aboard! Kids and adults enjoyed a sweet ride around the park during the Bartlett Festival. Photo by Scott Steele.

These runners were proud of their efforts in the first-ever Judge Freeman Marr Panther Pride 5K at this year’s Bartlett Festival. Photo by Amanda Swain.

The petting zoo at the Bartlett Festival is a favorite stop for families with little children, as well as animal lovers of all ages. Photo by Scott Steele.

Grillmasters were paying close attention to their work for the first Memphis Barbecue Network-sanctioned Bartlett BBQ Fest this weekend. Photo by Amanda Swain.

Each of the five hot-air balloons bobbing on its tether at the Bartlett Festival was a magnificent sight for festival goers. Photo by Theron Malone.

Organizers predicted the Bartlett Festival’s popular Car Show would draw about 150 vehicles this year. The array covered a variety of makes and models, and owners competed for honors in nearly 40 categories. Photo by Scott Steele.

A good old-fashioned turtle race is just as absorbing today as it was in years past. Photo by Amanda Swain.

Handfuls of American flags are a welcome sight at the Bartlett Festival. This trio also carries flags honoring veterans who are missing in action or prisoners of war. Photo by Amanda Swain.

An estimated 5,000 people browsed booths, got thrills and chills on carnival rides, perused shiny classic cars, sighed over the smells of delicious barbecue, tapped their toes to the live music and otherwise enjoyed the 2016 Bartlett Festival, BBQ Cooking Contest and Car Show this past weekend.

A light breeze dispelled the heat for festival-goers, and attendees praised the free air-conditioned bus service that shuttled festival-goers from distant parking lots to the events at W.J. Freeman Park on Friday and Saturday.

Winners had not yet been announced for the car show or barbecue contest as of press time this week, and the city organizers concentrated on judging and enjoying the “Beards for Bartlett” competition rather than gathering the names of the winners. So although details are scant at this stage about the outcome of competitions, Bartlett’s leaders deem the event a success. (Editor’s note: We will have full details on the barbecue competition in next week’s paper, complete with photos.)

The event held a special nostalgia for Bartlett residents and former residents this year, as it also was a celebration of the city’s sesquicentennial. Reminders of the city’s 150th birthday were sprinkled throughout the park, including a banner at the entrance and designs on the city’s 2016 Christmas ornament and this year’s festival T-shirt.

See more details on upcoming events and videos about the Bartlett sesquicentennial at the city’s website.